HILFSWERK AUSTRIA REPRESENTATION IN MOLDOVA HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED NEW PROJECT

Hilfswerk Austria Representation in Moldova has officially launched the project „Development and promotion of network of rehabilitation centers for children with special educational needs (SEN) in Moldova”. Project over 16 months is a continuation of the organization’s activities in this area and aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of children and youth with disabilities by facilitating their access to special individually aligned rehabilitation services through professional institutions in Moldova (including the transnistrian region).

„One says that community which eliminates some of its members is a poor society” began her speech Tatiana Echim, project coordinator of Hilfswerk Austria in Moldova. “In the last years Moldova has made some significant steps in the field of disability policy level, primarily due to the persistence of service providers for this category of persons”. Specialized institutions with support from state structures and donors have developed and introduced at the community level new services covering both traditional and alternative dimensions of rehabilitation and social integration of children and youth with special educational needs. And in this context present project comes with a support to improve the activity of target institutions through promoting exchange of experience and training to network members. The network currently comprises 11 centers specialized centers located on both banks of river Dniester.

The project also seeks to achieve the objectives of i) the study, development and introduction of practical approaches to modern network of centers for the rehabilitation of children and young people with SEN, and ii) raise public awareness on the need and importance of social integration of children and young people with disability through lobbying and advocacy activities.

The project „Development and promotion of network of rehabilitation centers for children with special educational needs (SEN) in Moldova” is supported by ERSTE Foundation (www.erstestiftung.org).

For additional information, please contact Tatiana ECHIM, project coordinator, Hilfswerk Austria in Moldova tel (022) 212-541 or by email: tatiana.echim@hwa.md